Mercado opens own insurance agency; A Better Ledger expands to FWB

Published: Friday, November 15, 2013 at 04:35 PM.

After eight years of working for a Fort Walton Beach agency, Sandra Mercado felt it was time she branched out and opened her own insurance agency.

“It’s a little nerve wracking to say the least,” Mercado said, but at the same time she feels excited and confident.

She opened Coast2Coast Insurance Agency, an independent agency, early this month in Destin, offering professional assistance in helping people find the right kind of coverage.

“I’m not obligated to write for one company,” Mercado said. “That gives me an opportunity to shop around for the customer to find the best rate.”

Coast2Coast specializes in home, vehicle and commercial insurances. Mercado can find coverage for workers compensation and general liability, with a specialization in small businesses such as restaurants and landscapers as well as retail shops.

Coming to the area in 2006 from her native Puerto Rico, Mercado chose Destin as a good center for the agency. Coast2Coast, however, can work throughout the state. If you leave the area, Mercado can come along with you via the phone or email.

LOCATION: 228 Harbor Blvd., Destin, across from city parking

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

TELEPHONE: 460-7480

EMAIL: coast2coast@yahoo.com

BONUS: se habla espanol

***

A BETTER LEDGER COMPANY

A springtime expansion of A Better Ledger Company means success for another woman-owned business in the area.

Karen Hardell first opened A Better Ledger Company in Crestview in 2005. Now with four employees at that location, she had an opportunity to open the Fort Walton Beach office when another certified public accountant retired.

“We have a number of clients who drive up to Crestview each year,” she said. The expansion saves them a trip.

As an accounting firm, A Better Ledger Company offers business accounting services, assisting with pay roll, management, counseling, and income tax planning and preparation.

“We try to customize our services to small businesses,” Hardell also said. For example, she cites handling taxes: “It’s not just complying with the tax law, but teaching and coaching.

“If you come in on April 15, it’s almost too late,” she added. “A lot of changes have come through in the last few years, so now could be a good time to sit with someone to see where you’re at.”

After eight years of working for a Fort Walton Beach agency, Sandra Mercado felt it was time she branched out and opened her own insurance agency.

“It’s a little nerve wracking to say the least,” Mercado said, but at the same time she feels excited and confident.

She opened Coast2Coast Insurance Agency, an independent agency, early this month in Destin, offering professional assistance in helping people find the right kind of coverage.

“I’m not obligated to write for one company,” Mercado said. “That gives me an opportunity to shop around for the customer to find the best rate.”

Coast2Coast specializes in home, vehicle and commercial insurances. Mercado can find coverage for workers compensation and general liability, with a specialization in small businesses such as restaurants and landscapers as well as retail shops.

Coming to the area in 2006 from her native Puerto Rico, Mercado chose Destin as a good center for the agency. Coast2Coast, however, can work throughout the state. If you leave the area, Mercado can come along with you via the phone or email.

LOCATION: 228 Harbor Blvd., Destin, across from city parking

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays through Fridays

TELEPHONE: 460-7480

EMAIL: coast2coast@yahoo.com

BONUS: se habla espanol

***

A BETTER LEDGER COMPANY

A springtime expansion of A Better Ledger Company means success for another woman-owned business in the area.

Karen Hardell first opened A Better Ledger Company in Crestview in 2005. Now with four employees at that location, she had an opportunity to open the Fort Walton Beach office when another certified public accountant retired.

“We have a number of clients who drive up to Crestview each year,” she said. The expansion saves them a trip.

As an accounting firm, A Better Ledger Company offers business accounting services, assisting with pay roll, management, counseling, and income tax planning and preparation.

“We try to customize our services to small businesses,” Hardell also said. For example, she cites handling taxes: “It’s not just complying with the tax law, but teaching and coaching.

“If you come in on April 15, it’s almost too late,” she added. “A lot of changes have come through in the last few years, so now could be a good time to sit with someone to see where you’re at.”